When working with human cells in the laboratory, it is sometimes useful to have a reference guide on the expected frequencies of cell types in human peripheral blood.
With this objective in mind, we examined our historical donor data and surveyed published research to create the infographic and table below on the relative mix of cell types in peripheral blood.
Feel free to download/print the PDF version at the bottom of this page to keep with you in the lab!
Cell Frequencies in Peripheral Blood
| Cell Type | Frequency (x106 cells/mL) |
Percentage | Function |
|---|---|---|---|
| Erythrocytes (Red Blood Cells) |
4,200 – 5,900 | 93% – 96% | Transport oxygen and carbon dioxide throughout the body |
| Thrombocytes (Platelets) |
150 – 400 | 3% – 6% | Prevent and control bleeding |
| Leukocytes (White Blood Cells) |
4.2 – 10.9 | <1% | Defend the body against infection and disease |
Frequencies of Leukocytes
| Cell Type | Frequency (x106 cells/mL) |
% of Total Leukocytes | Function |
|---|---|---|---|
| Granulocytes | 2.3 – 6.1 | 45% – 65% | Important mediators of inflammatory response |
| T Cells | 0.6 – 1.8 | 8% – 25% | Core component of adaptive immune response |
| B Cells | 0.1 – 0.6 | 3% – 10% | Secrete antibodies as part of humoral immune response |
| NK Cells | 0.1 – 0.4 | 2% – 5% | Effector cells of innate immunity; respond to infected cells and tumors |
| Monocytes | 0.2 – 0.9 | 3% – 10% | Surveil for microbial cells and coordinate immune response |
| Dendritic Cells | <0.1 | <1% | Process and present antigen material to T cells |
| Hematopoietic Stem Cells* | <0.01 | <0.1% | Stem cells that form into mature blood cells |
Reference Card
Click the link below to download a free reference card showing frequencies of cell types in human peripheral blood to keep with you in the lab!
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